Support and seal for waste disposer

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for supporting and sealing a waste disposer on the depending sleeve portion of a sink flange member includes a plurality of generally annular and concentric projections extending outwardly from the lower sleeve portion of the sink flange member for a mating engagement by a similarly formed plurality of annular projections on the internal surface of a resilient inlet of a disposer housing. The mating parts are securely anchored together by the use of a removable clamp disposed on the periphery of the resilient inlet and thus there is provided an easy assembly of the housing to the sink flange and an effective seal between.

United States ate Smith SUPPORT AND SEAL FOR WASTE DISPOSER Primary E.\'aminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-E. F. Desmond Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichard L. Ward ABSTRACT An arrangement for supporting and sealing a waste disposer on the depending sleeve portion of a sink flange member includes a plurality of generally annular and concentric projections extending outwardly from the lower sleeve portion of the sink flange member for a mating engagement by a similarly formed plurality of annular projections on the internal surface of a resilient inlet of a disposer housing. The mating parts are securely anchored together by the use of a removable clamp disposed on the periphery of the resilient inlet and thus there is provided an easy assembly of the housing to the sink flange and an effective 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures [75] Inventor: Thomas R. Smith, Newton, lowa [73] Assignee: The Maytag Company, Newton, [57] Iowa [22] Filed: Jan. 14, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 433,228

[52] US. Cl 241/l00.5, 241/46 A, 241/252 G [51] Int. Cl. B02c 18/42 [58] Field of Search 24l/32.5, 46 A, 46, 8,]

24l/l O0.5, 257.6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,163,369 12/1964 Hogue 24l/257.6 x seal between. 3,801,998 4/1974 Macias 241/46 A X I Z0 /5 -i l PATENTEUHARZSISYS 3,873,036

llllllllll Hllll llllll SUPPORT AND SEAL FOR WASTE DISPOSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to food waste disposer apparatus and particularly to a supporting and sealing construction for mounting the disposer to a sink.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art supporting and sealing systems for disposers have included a generally horizontally outwardly extending housing flange which is clamped between a pair of horizontally-extending plates or have alternately included a resilient housing inlet having an inwardly extending shoulder clamped directly into a groove formed in the sleeve portion of the sink flange. The high cost and assembly inconveniences of the prior art methods point up the need for an improved, low cost, convenient, and reliable, supporting and sealing system for a disposer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention to provide such a low cost, convenient, and reliable disposer mountin system- It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a disposer supporting and sealing system providing for easy assembly and retarded removal to provide an improved connection of the disposer to a sink flange.

It is still a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved disposer mounting system having a minimum number of components to achieve the utmost in low cost and convenient supporting and sealing of a disposer on a sink flange.

The instant invention achieves these objects in a waste disposer apparatus having a housing with a resilient inlet. The lower sleeve portion of the sink flange member includes a plurality of generally annular projections on the exterior surface thereof for engagement with mating projections on the interior surface of the resilient inlet. The mating projections are formed to permit easy assembly and to retard removal of the housing from the sink flange member. The resilient inlet is then clamped to the inlet to insure secure and postitive supporting and sealing of the disposer to the sink flange member.

Operation of the device and further objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying page of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention with similar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a section view of an installed sink flange ready to receive a disposer in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the disposer in the installed position prior to tightening of a retaining clamp; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged section view showing the engagement of the teeth upon tightening of the retaining clamp.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a sink having an annular flange defining a drain opening 11 in which is positioned a sink flange member 13. The sink flange member 13 includes an upper flange portion 14 engageable with the sink flange 10 and a lower sleeve portion 15 depending. from the upper flange portion 14 through the drain opening 11. The sleeve portion 15 includes a groove 16 rolled into a lower portion thereof and further includes a plurality of concentric closely spaced rings 19 forming a plurality of supporting shoulders below the groove 16 for supporting a disposeras will be further shown. FIG. 1 alsoshows upper and lower mounting plates 20 and 21 each'having a central opening permitting assembly to the sleeve portion 15. A resilient gasket 23 is positioned between the upper plate 20 and the annular flange .10 of the sink. A split ring 24 encircles the sleeve portion 15 at the annular groove 16.

To achieve the assembly of FIG. 1, the sink flange member 13 is placed loosely in the drain opening 11 from the top side. The gasket 23, upper plate 20, and lower plate 21 are then moved generally axially onto the sleeve portion 15 from the bottom; while holding the plates 20, 21 and the gasket 23 on the sleeve portion 15, the self-biased split ring 24 is snapped into place for engagement with the groove 16; and then the threaded members 25 are turned against the upper plate 20 to separate the plates 20-21 and to hold the upper plate 20 against the sink flange 10 through the gasket 23 and to hold the lower plate 21 against the split ring 24 through the inner flange 26. It is noted that the sink flange 14 becomes clamped to the sink and that the lower plate 21 applies axial and radial force to the split ring 24 through the inner flange 26 to securely clamp the split ring 24 in the groove 16 of the sleeve portion 15. The assembly of FIG. 1 is thus ready to receive a disposer housing.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 29 of the disposer is shown as having a resilient inlet 30 for receiving the sleeve portion 15 including the projecting annular rings 19. Referring specifically to the enlarged view of FIG. 3, it may be seen that the annular rings 19 on the sleeve portion 15 have a sawtooth cross section wherein each projection includes a generally horizontal upper surface 33 and a tapered lower surface 34. Similarly, the resilient housing inlet 30 includes a plurality of mating projecting rings 35 composed of a tapered upper surface 39 and a generally horizontal lower surface 40. The mating engagement between the projecting rings 19 on the sleeve portion 15 and the projecting rings 35 on the resilient inlet portion 30 effect an interlocking engagement sufficient to support the weight of the disposer. It is clear that the taper on the mating projecting rings permits relatively easy axial movement of the disposer inlet onto the sleeve but the horizontal surfaces retard removal therefrom.

The inlet 30 also defines an outer groove 43 for a clamp 44 including a strap portion 45 that encircles the inlet 30 and that may be tightened, as by the screw 46, to compress the resilient inlet 30 and provide a more positive engagement with the projecting rings 19 of the sleeve portion 15. The resilient material of the inlet 30 deforms into generally contiguous engagement with the projecting rings 19 of the sleeve portion 15 as shown in FIG. 3 and provides a reliable mechanical connection and an effective fluid seal of the housing inlet 30 to the sleeve portion 15.

In a specific embodiment of the instant invention the projections 19 on the sleeve portion 15 have a depth of 0,014 inch and a spacing of 0.025 inch. The projections extend along the sleeve portion for a distance of approximately 0.425'inch. Similarly formed projections are provided on the interior surface of the resilient inlet 30.

It is thus clear that the instant invention provides an improved disposer supporting and sealing system having quick connect and disconnect advantages. It is also clear that the tapered portions 34, 39 of the mating teeth permit easy axial movement in one direction but that the mating horizontal surfaces 33, 40 retard movement in the opposite direction. Before the clamp 44 has been tightened, however, the resiliency of the housing inlet 30 permits removal of the housing from the sleeve portion 15 by the application of a relatively small amount of force in addition to gravity. Once the clamp 44 is in place and tightened, however, the disposer is securely fastened and sealed to the sink flange member 13.

Use of the instant invention provides distinct advantages over the prior art constructions. As compared to systems using three plates, including two to clamp onto a housing flange, the present invention eliminates the cost and inconvenience of the third plate. As compared to prior art systems in which a resilient housing is mounted for engagement in a second rolled groove of the sink flange, the present invention achieves reduced cost, more convenient assembly, and improved reliability.

It is specifically noted also that forming of a single groove in a thin sheet metal sleeve is relatively common but forming two relatively close grooves, similar to groove 16, in a thin wall sleeve creates forming problems resulting in substantially increased cost. These problems are avoided in the instant invention in that only a single rolled groove is used in combination with the easily formed shallow projection shown in the drawings. Reliability of the support and seal is improved by the positive engagement of the mating rings under the loading of the clamp ring.

In the drawings and specification, there is set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening ofa sink and further including aa lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, means for securing said sleeve means to said sink, said sleeve means further including a plurality of closely spaced generally annular upwardly facing projections on the exterior surface of said lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface formed with projections for generally mating resilient engagement with the projections on said lower sleeve portion, said resiliently engageable mating projections being formed to permit easy assembly of said resilient housing inlet portion onto said lower sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the resilient housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the projections of said housing inlet portion and the projections of said lower sleeve portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween.

2. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 1 wherein the projections on said housing inlet portion and said lower sleeve portion include generally horizontal mating surfaces having sufficient engagement therebetween for supporting said waste disposer on said sleeve means.

3. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 1 wherein said clamp means compresses the internal projections of said resilient housing inlet portion into generally contiguous engagement with the external projections of said lower sleeve portion for effecting and maintaining a fluid seal therebetween.

4. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 1 wherein the mating projections on said lower sleeve portion and said housing inlet portion are in the form of distinct closely spaced annular rings.

5. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink and further including a thin wall lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, said sleeve portion including an annular groove defining a shoulder, means for securing said sleeve means to said sink including a ring disposed in said groove and a pair of plate means encircling said sleeve portion between said ring and said sink for securely clamping said sleeve means in said drain opening, said sleeve means further including a plurality of generally annular projections extending around the exterior surface of said sleeve portion below said groove and having a radial depth substantially less than the thickness of said thin wall lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface formed with projections for generally mating resilient engagement with the projections on said lower sleeve portion, said resiliently engageable mating projections being formed to permit easy assembly of the housing inlet portion onto the sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the resilient housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the mating projections of the sleeve portion and housing inlet portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween.

6. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 5 wherein said annular projections are in the form of distinct annular rings having generally horizontal upwardly facing surfaces on said sleeve portion and generally horizontal downwardly facing surfaces on said resilient housing inlet portion for achieving said easy assembly and retarded removal.

7. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink and further including a lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, means for securing said sleeve means to said sink, said sleeve means further including a plurality ofjuxtaposed projecting rings around the exterior surface of said lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface comprising projecting rings formed for generally mating resilient engagement with the projecting rings on said lower sleeve portion, the rings on said lower sleeve portion having a generally horizontal upper surface and a tapered lower surface and the rings on said resilient housing inlet portion having a generally horizonal lower surface and a tapered upper surface to permit easy assembly of the housing inlet portion onto the lower sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the mating projections of the lower sleeve portion and housing inlet portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween.

8. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 7, wherein each of the rings on said housing inlet portion and lower sleeve portion is endless to insure a fluid seal of said housing means to said sleeve means.

9. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink bly of said resilient'housing inlet portiononto said lower sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the resilient housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the projections of said housing inlet portion and the projections of said i lower sleeve portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween. 

1. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink and further including aa lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, means for securing said sleeve means to said sink, said sleeve means further including a plurality of closely spaced generally annular upwardly facing projections on the exterior surface of said lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface formed with projections for generally mating resilient engagement with the projections on said lower sleeve portion, said resiliently engageable mating projections being formed to permit easy assembly of said resilient housing inlet portion onto said lower sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the resilient housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the projections of said housing inlet portion and the projections of said lower sleeve portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween.
 2. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 1 wherein the projections on said housing inlet portion and said lower sleeve portion include generally horizontal mating surfaces having sufficient engagement therebetween for supporting said waste disposer on said sleeve means.
 3. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 1 wherein said clamp means compresses the internal projections of said resilient housing inlet portion into generally contiguous engagement with the external projections of said lower sleeve portion for effecting and maintaining a fluid seal therebetween.
 4. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 1 wherein the mating projections on said lower sleeve portion and said housing inlet portion are in the form of distInct closely spaced annular rings.
 5. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink and further including a thin wall lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, said sleeve portion including an annular groove defining a shoulder, means for securing said sleeve means to said sink including a ring disposed in said groove and a pair of plate means encircling said sleeve portion between said ring and said sink for securely clamping said sleeve means in said drain opening, said sleeve means further including a plurality of generally annular projections extending around the exterior surface of said sleeve portion below said groove and having a radial depth substantially less than the thickness of said thin wall lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface formed with projections for generally mating resilient engagement with the projections on said lower sleeve portion, said resiliently engageable mating projections being formed to permit easy assembly of the housing inlet portion onto the sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the resilient housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the mating projections of the sleeve portion and housing inlet portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween.
 6. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 5 wherein said annular projections are in the form of distinct annular rings having generally horizontal upwardly facing surfaces on said sleeve portion and generally horizontal downwardly facing surfaces on said resilient housing inlet portion for achieving said easy assembly and retarded removal.
 7. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink and further including a lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, means for securing said sleeve means to said sink, said sleeve means further including a plurality of juxtaposed projecting rings around the exterior surface of said lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface comprising projecting rings formed for generally mating resilient engagement with the projecting rings on said lower sleeve portion, the rings on said lower sleeve portion having a generally horizontal upper surface and a tapered lower surface and the rings on said resilient housing inlet portion having a generally horizonal lower surface and a tapered upper surface to permit easy assembly of the housing inlet portion onto the lower sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the mating projections of the lower sleeve portion and housing inlet portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween.
 8. In a waste disposer as defined in claim 7, wherein each of the rings on said housing inlet portion and lower sleeve portion is endless to insure a fluid seal of said housing means to said sleeve means.
 9. In a waste disposer, the combination comprising: housing means including a resilient generally annular housing inlet portion, sleeve means including an upper flanged portion supportable in a drain opening of a sink and further including a lower sleeve portion extending through and depending below said drain opening, means for securing said sleve means to said sink, said sleeve means further including a plurality of generally annular projections on the exterior surface of said lower sleeve portion, said resilient housing inlet portion including an internal surface formed with projections for generally mating resilient engagement with the projections on said lower sleeve portion, said resiliently engageable mating pRojections being formed with oppositely facing saw-toothed profiles to permit easy assembly of said resilient housing inlet portion onto said lower sleeve portion and to retard removal therefrom, and clamp means encircling the resilient housing inlet portion and generally aligned with the projections of said housing inlet portion and the projections of said lower sleeve portion to maintain positive engagement therebetween. 